Page 66 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

R ose woke to the song of a robin perched on her open window.

Her eyes fluttered open, the sheets warmed from the morning rays strewn across her duvet.

She’d almost forgotten who slept next to her until she saw Roman already awake, still dutifully beside her, not noticing she’d woken.

Both hands lay lazily behind his head, cradling it in his large palms in a relaxed pose, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

He was the same Roman, but she still couldn’t believe how much older he looked.

He was now bigger than both of his brothers.

His clean-shaven face was bronzed from exposure to the elements during the war.

His eyes were easily her favorite thing about him—a beautiful blend of amber and gold specks that glittered in the light like the traces of gold found in the soil in Semaria.

His thick, straight eyebrows gave him a far more mature appearance, looking like he could be older than her—many would probably assume so at a glance.

She had the urge to reach out and run her fingers along his jaw, but instead, she shifted her body toward him.

Roman snapped out of his trance. Unlike her, he didn’t hesitate, reaching out to tuck a stray hair behind her ear. He had that look again—the look that made the foundation of her walls crack.

“How do you feel?” he whispered.

“Better.” And she meant it.

He gave a satisfied nod. “Good… Your mother and Thea came in earlier this morning. I think I about gave your mother a heart attack.”

Rose stilled, reprimanding herself for being so careless. “What did you tell her?”

“The truth. That nothing happened, and I was only here to help.”

Relief settled in as she nodded in response, more positive than a royal flush in cards that she’d hear more about this from her mother later. She’d definitely be questioning her judgment—her sanity.

Roman propped himself onto his forearm, peering at her with uncertainty. “I had a talk with your mum… I told her I want to take you to Highland Haven.”

She sat straight up. “Your family manor?”

He nodded. “In the mountains. It’s not far, but far enough it’ll feel like somewhere new. I have business in Caleede and it’s nearby. I thought it’d make sense. You could come with me, finish your training. No one would bother us there. We wouldn’t have to hide.”

Rose almost couldn’t believe her ears—a chance to escape had finally been offered, and in the capitol no less. “What did my mother say?”

“She agreed. She thinks it’s a good idea for you to get some distance from this place.”

She paused, thinking. “What about her? Will she be coming?”

“I told her she could. But she seems to think it’d be better for her to stay here.”

“How long would we be gone?”

Roman shrugged. “As long as it takes to finish my business and your training.”

She gazed at the sheets as she considered his offer.

She’d miss her mother, but she couldn’t stay.

She’d go insane. If there was a chance she could escape this place, she’d take it.

Even if it was only for a short time. Hell, if it weren’t for her mother, she might have considered stowing away on a ship at this point.

Roman paused at her hesitancy. “But if you’d rather stay?—”

“No!” She cut him off quickly.

He lifted an eyebrow.

She collected herself and added more calmly, “I want to go.”

His shoulders relaxed at her answer. “Then I’ll make the arrangements.”

“When do we leave?”

“As soon as you want. I can be ready today?—”

“Today?” She couldn’t hide the excitement in her voice.

A smile almost graced Roman’s lips as they tugged up slightly. “Today it is.”

She wanted to smile, but she couldn’t get her mouth to move.

Roman stood. “Tristan won’t be happy when he learns of our plans.

Luckily, he already left for his honeymoon—” she flinched at the word, “—earlier this morning, so he’ll be gone a few days.

He won’t know we’ve left until it’s too late.

But I’d ask you not to tell anyone where we are going except your mother.

I’ll tell my father, but I don’t want anyone else to interfere—including my mother. ”

“I won’t… But what about Beth? Won’t she miss you?”

Something shifted in his eyes. “She’ll understand. I’ll explain the situation.”

“As long as I am not impeding anything.” She didn’t want to interfere with their relationship.

“You’re not.”

Rose nodded, accepting his answer.

He went to leave, almost reaching the door.

“Roman?”

He turned back.

“Why are you doing all of this?” she asked softly, still not sure why the change of heart.

Roman kept his face controlled as he looked down at the scar on his arm and then at her. “I owe you my life… The least I can do is make yours a little better.”

She gazed at him gratefully. “Thank you.”

He gave her a cross look. “What have I told you about thanking me?”

She shrugged. “It’s a habit of mine when someone does something nice.”

He let out a harsh sound—a laugh or scoff, she couldn’t be sure. “I’ll see you at noon,” he said over his shoulder, heading for the door. “I’d pack warm clothes. It gets cold at night, even in the summer. But don’t bother bringing too much. Harriet has a closet full that could dress a small army.”

Rose almost smiled, knowing it was probably true.

Rose’s mother came to help pack her few belongings, and for the first time in days, her heart pumped freely—it still didn’t feel real.

“Well, that’s the last of it,” her mother said, scanning the room for anything else they’d missed. “I think you have everything you’ll need.”

“Are you sure you won’t come?” She’d asked the question for the hundredth time.

Her mother shook her head sharply. “Oh no, I’m quite content here.

I’ll have much more company here than at the estate.

It sounds like you two will be busy enough without worrying about me.

Besides, I need to keep hunting for suitors while you are gone.

I’ll send word once I have any good news.

There’s plenty of time left in the season. ”

Rose stuffed a book into her bag. “What did Roman say to you this morning?” She would’ve given anything to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.

“Well… after the shock wore off—” her mother gave her a reprimanding stare, having already scolded her earlier, “—he told me he had an idea that might help you. I listened to what he had to say and… I agreed.”

“So you think it’s a good idea?”

With soft eyes, her mother swept Rose’s hair over her shoulder, her thumb stroking her cheek as she said, “I think it’s something you need.”

“Do you think Tristan will be angry when he comes back? I don’t want him taking it out on you.”

Her mother’s hand slid off her face, waving it, unconcerned. “You don’t need to worry about me. I can handle Tristan. He needs to come to terms with the fact that, at some point, you both have to move on.”

Some things were easier said than done.

Rose clasped the buckle on her bag as the dull ache in her heart sharpened.

“Did I make a mistake letting him go? What if… what if I never love anyone like I loved him? What if…” Her words faltered.

There was a more fearful question she couldn’t bring herself to voice.

The one that had been haunting her since the ruins.

What if no one else ever loved her as much as Tristan did?

Her heart crippled.

Her mother put a gentle hand on her arm. “You won’t. You’ll never love anyone the same way twice. But there is a greater love out there for you, Rose. You may not feel that way now, but there will be a love so strong and freeing, you won’t even imagine letting it go. I feel it in my bones.”

Rose looked at her mother pitifully. Who was she to sit and complain after all her mother had been through with her father? “I’m sorry you never got to have that kind of love. You deserve so much more than what he gave you.”

Despite the truth of it, her mother gave her a gracious smile. “Don’t worry, Rose. My life has been filled with more love than most. I have the greatest love I’ve ever known standing right here in front of me.”

Rose’s heart filled with pride. She didn’t know where her mother had gained so much strength. Perhaps if she had inherited more of her mother’s qualities, they wouldn’t be in this position.

She gave her mother a tight hug, expressing her thanks.

Her mother pulled back, gripping her forearms. “But I’ll tell you something I learned long ago. Your peace of mind is far more important than understanding why something happened the way it did. Don’t dwell on thoughts of things that could’ve been.”

Rose knew it. She merely nodded.

Her mother brought her back into her arms, squeezing her tight. “I love you so much, my darling girl.” Her voice fluctuated with a rare softness.

“I love you, too, Mum,” she replied, meaning it with all her heart.